1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)
5 July 1811 (from Spain)
Religions
Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages
Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Exports
petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
External Debt
$17,900,000,000 $
$89,600,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar - 9,142.8 (2008 est.), 9,407.5 (2007), 9,227.1 (2006), 8,964 (2005), 8,614 (2004) note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: On 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
2.500%
1.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
2
1
Location
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Area
1,648,195 km sq
912,050 km sq
Coastline
2,440 km
2,800 km
Climate
mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
